H.—7b

2

I have promised to bring the subject under your notice without delay, and to give it my best support; and in doing so, I would beg to remind the Government that I have now on hand, stored in these Chambers, a valuable collection of New Zealand exhibits (from Vienna), which would of themselves form a good nucleus in the way of a Colonial Museum. Mr. James Brogden has promised me the whole of his collection of New Zealand birds as a deposit; and I have no doubt that other objects of interest would be forthcoming as soon as the museum was fairly started. I need hardly say that should the Government decide on uniting with the other colonies to give effect to the present proposal, it may depend on my doing my utmost to carry the thing out successfully. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General. Extract from a Telegram to Agent-General, London. * #.# # * * * * * # * * Colonial Museum.—Government will submit vote to Assembly. Featherston, London. Vogel. By Authority; Geobge Didbboet, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB74. Trice 3<£] «